NAIROBI, Kenya – The government has gazetted a six-month waiver on the Sh1,000 fee charged for the replacement or amendment of national identity cards, in a move aimed at expanding access to the crucial document.
In a special gazette notice issued on Friday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the waiver took effect immediately, in line with President William Ruto’s directive to ensure that every Kenyan can obtain an ID card — a key requirement for accessing government services and registering as a voter.
“The fees prescribed in the Sixth Schedule in respect of duplicate/replacement and change of particulars shall be nil for six months, with effect from the date of commencement of these rules,” the notice reads in part.
President Ruto first announced the waiver on October 4, saying it was intended to remove financial barriers that have prevented many citizens, particularly youth, from obtaining identification cards.
“We will make sure no one is denied the opportunity to register as a voter because of lacking an identification card,” he said at the time.
The Government has today issued a special gazette notice waiving the fees charged for the replacement of IDs and changing of particulars for a period of six months.This is in line with H.E. President William Samoei Ruto’s directive aimed at ensuring that every Kenyan acquires
The initiative is part of a broader government plan to register at least one million new ID holders within the next year. To achieve this, the State has acquired a modern machine capable of printing up to 15,000 cards daily.
During a recent inspection of the National Registration Bureau in Nairobi, Murkomen said the Interior Ministry is also working to fast-track documentation for aliens and refugees to enhance access to services.
“Even as the IEBC carries out mass voter registration, this is the time to get your ID in record time,” he said. “We also want to appeal to the youth — get your IDs so that you can begin transforming our nation.”
The Interior CS further revealed that more than 400,000 ID cards remain uncollected at registration offices across the country and urged holders to pick them up promptly.
The waiver will remain in force for six months from the date of gazettement.
